Landmines Threaten Agriculture In Ukraine And Azerbaijan but, Innovative Solutions Are On The Way

Ukrainian Farmer Converts Tractor into Demining Vehicle to Clear Landmines

By Joseph Hammond

In ordinary times, Ukrainian farmer Oleksandr Kryvtsov would not be a viral celebrity. Krystov, frustrated by the fact that much of his farmland was contaminated with landmines, has taken matters into his own hands, turning his tractor into a remote-controlled demining vehicle. Videos and images of his light blue tractor demining fields near Hrakove, Ukraine went viral earlier this summer.

The Impact of Landmines on Ukraine’s Agriculture

As the tide turns against Russia in its war against Ukraine, it is increasingly relying on massive fields of land mines to prevent Ukraine from liberating its territory. Today, an area roughly the size of Florida within Ukraine is contaminated. A large portion of those landmines are in prime agricultural land whose continued presence is a hindrance to investment, food security, and a continuing endangerment to human life.

Ukraine’s Ambitious Plan for De-mining

Ukraine has an ambitious plan to is increasingly turning its attention to the challenge of de-mining large swathes of the country to resume agriculture production, with ambitious plans to de-mine at least the most valuable 470,000 hectares of agricultural land over the next four years. But by some estimates, landmines will lay dormant there for decades, if not centuries.

Azerbaijan’s Success in De-mining

Azerbaijan recaptured large swathes of its internationally recognized territory that had been seized by Armenian separatists in the closing days of the Soviet Union and occupied for three decades in 2020. Like Ukraine, those lands are now heavily contaminated with Soviet-era landmines. And like Ukraine, that land too has agricultural potential that Azerbaijan hopes to tap. Thanks to ongoing de-mining efforts, some 50,000 hectares there were planted with grain crops last year, according to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture. Azerbaijan has made de-mining a top priority because hundreds of thousands of former internally displaced people (IDPs) hope to return to their homes and rebuild ruined towns. The region was once known for its agricultural products.

The Cost of De-mining

But one of the biggest hurdles to de-mining is cost. While the cost of producing a landmine is relatively cheap from $3 to $75 dollars according to the International Red Cross, the cost of removing a single mine can range from $300 to $1000 dollars. Even for Azerbaijan, a relatively wealthy country owing to its abundant natural gas resources, this poses a major challenge. For Ukraine, it will be worse.

Innovative Approaches to De-mining

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) – established in 1998 with a mandate to de-mine the country with the support of the United Nations has developed innovative approaches to de-mining. Over the years it has also been supported by the U.S. government. Today the agency is training new volunteers from amongst IDPs. ANAMA has also been involved in other projects such as micro-lending initiatives to help restore the livelihoods of IDPs. This is a model that could work well In Ukraine, where many farmers like Oleksandr Kryvtsov are already taking matters into their own hands to clear their lands, frustrated by the painstakingly slow pace of de-mining.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

This year a Ukrainian mission visited Azerbaijan to better understand Azerbaijan’s approach to de-mining. Middle Eastern representatives have also visited Azerbaijan to better understand its mine-clearance strategy. A joint Saud-Azeri company has been formed to apply Azerbaijan’s know-how and technologies in other parts of the world. Some 61 countries around the world are still contaminated with landmines — mostly from wars that ended years ago. In many cases landmines are located in prime agricultural land. Thus, landmines pose a threat to both human and food security around the globe.

The Long Road Ahead

In both countries however, the battle against landmines will take years if not decades. In the case of Ukraine some grim analysts suggest it could take centuries unless new and innovative solutions are tried to decontaminate the roughly 30% of Ukrainian territory that is currently mined. Yet, in neither country is it an impossible struggle as both countries are home to diligent individuals and organizations committed to ensuring farmers like Oleksandr Kryvtsov can one day plant again.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Sustainable Development Goal: Zero Hunger

– Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

– Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size.

2. Sustainable Development Goal: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

– Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

– Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and cause.

3. Sustainable Development Goal: Good Health and Well-being

– Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

– Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

4. Sustainable Development Goal: Quality Education

– Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

– Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment.

5. Sustainable Development Goal: Partnerships for the Goals

– Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

– Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: forbes.com

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